A Holiday Wish List

A Holiday Wish List

The cool wind in the air, the decorations being set up on the Circle in downtown Sebring, and the talk of "Black Friday" deals all add up to one thing, the holiday season. It is not unusual for children to create a "wish list" of gifts that they would like to receive for Christmas. Here is a wish list for local elected officials and the citizens of Highlands County.

For Sheriff Susan Benton- The sincere hope that you will listen to some of the ideas that your opponent, Ron Grimming, brought up during the campaign. Barracks style housing for inmates, a Citizen Review Board, and delaying the construction of the new Sheriff's administration building were all very good ideas. The current economic state of the county, along with that of the State of Florida and United States, require all of us to curtail spending. You have done a good job in the past 4 years and were given the opportunity to continue to serve, please do not let this chance pass you by. Also, the wish that those within your department that may have supported Mr. Grimming, will be able to continue in their current positions without fear of retribution or bad blood.

For Mr. Bob Germaine- A wish that you will continue with the internal audit system as it currently exists. Allow the auditors to do their jobs as they have done in the past, excellently. The best thing for the county is that the Clerk of Courts office remain intact and keep operating as it has in the past. You said many times, that Highlands County has the best Clerk of Courts staff in the state, so let's keep it that way. The auditing process is a valuable one, one that should be allowed to continue without interruption and without bias. No matter how difficult an issue is, there is one thing that cannot be doubted or argued against and that is simply...FACTS. And that is what the Internal Auditing Department provides the county. Finally, the same wish for you that was made for Ms. Benton, that those in your department that may have supported Ms. Wilson will be able to continue in their current positions without fear of retribution or bad blood.

For Jeff Carlson- You are no stranger to public service. As of this writing, you have already taken your new role as County Commissioner. So the wish for you is simple, hold your seat with honor, integrity, and an open mind. Do not allow yourself to be swayed by the old adage, "This is the way we have always done it." Bring new ideas into the county and you will do fine.
For Guy Maxcy- As you enter what is supposed to be your final term as County Commissioner, the wish that you follow through with the campaign promise that you made. And that promise was that you will bring fresh ideas into the County Commission meetings and improve the county. We all know that you love this county just as much as the rest of us do, that was never in question. But the citizens are watching, please do not let them down. As was stated for Mr. Carlson, "This is the way we have always done it" is no longer an acceptable reason for continuing on.

For the Citizens of Highlands County- Now is not the time to relax, now is the time to hold those that YOU placed in public service to be held accountable. Make your voices heard, if any elected official does something that you are not in agreement with, let them know. Write letters, make phone calls, send emails, and yes, even attend meetings. All of the elected officials are "guardians" of the public interest. Do not let them forget this fact. Over the course of the campaign season, many of you said that you were tired of "business as usual", well, now you must show those that are in office that was true. The only way that the "Good 'ole Boys" ever existed is because they were allowed to.